BD still has few more steps to regain GSP

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Atul Keshap said Bangladesh still needs to fulfill few more steps to regain the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility in the US market, suspended last year.
"We will continue to maintain a robust engagement with Bangladesh, and we are looking forward to have few more things done to regain GSP," he said replying to a question at a press meet at The American Center.
Atul Keshap arrived in the capital Saturday on a four-day official visit to discuss bilateral and regional issues. He is scheduled to leave today (Tuesday).
He also said Bangladesh has made sufficient progress in improving labour standards to justify revival of the duty-free trade benefit.
Washington chalked out an action plan to improve labour, fire and building safety standards, remove obstacles to workers' rights regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining, and reform labour laws to help the country win back the GSP.
During his visit, Mr Keshap met officials of the Prime Minister's Office and home, commerce and foreign ministries, civil society leaders and private sector representatives to discuss a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, labour, development, governance and trade.
He informed the reporters during his meeting with the government officials that he chiefly discussed human rights issues, among many others.
Mr Keshap said as a friend of Bangladesh, the US wants to enhance cooperation for ensuring a better working environment and labour standards.  
Besides, he said the US wants a free, fair, participatory and credible election. Terming such election as an opportunity, he said when opportunity comes one should take it.
He urged political parties to hold an effective dialogue for a better democratic environment, for which Bangladeshi people are passionate.
The US deputy assistant secretary said his country encourages politics of modernization and compromise and discourages politics of radicalization.
As the deputy assistant secretary, Keshap works closely with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal to coordinate the US government's policy towards this region.
Prior to his current assignment, he was the United States Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
From 2010 to 2012, Keshap worked with Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake as director of the Office of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan Affairs.